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Kent thieves jailed after targeting pensioner during burglary in Ashford

A man has been jailed after stamping on a pensioner's face while stealing from his home for the second time in a week.

Folkestone thug Mark Darcy left his victim with cuts and bruises which required hospital treatment during his second attack in Ashford.

Darcy and Wood were caught on CCTV. Photo: Kent Police
Darcy and Wood were caught on CCTV. Photo: Kent Police

Darcy first burgled the Beaver Road property with Sam Wood during the morning of Wednesday, October 9, 2019.

The pair made off with a quantity of money, before Darcy returned six days later.

The 33-year-old forced his way into the home with an unknown second accomplice, before assaulting the homeowner, a man in his 70's.

The pair also made threats with a knife, and could be heard talking about which cabinets had already been searched during the first burglary.

More cash was stolen from the home during the second burglary on Tuesday, October 15.

Mark Darcy has been jailed. Photo: Kent Police
Mark Darcy has been jailed. Photo: Kent Police

Investigating officers found CCTV footage which showed Darcy and Wood leaving the property during the first burglary.

When Darcy was arrested as he got out of a car in Folkestone, officers found the knife, which had been used to threaten the victim, within the passenger seat door-well.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Darcy, of Cauldham Close, Folkestone, admitted counts of burglary, aggravated burglary and possession of a knife.

Wood, of no fixed address but from Kent, admitted burglary, and possession of a knife in a public place after he was found with a Stanley knife when arrested.

The pair were sentenced at the same court earlier today.

Sam Wood aided Darcy in the first burglary. Photo: Kent Police
Sam Wood aided Darcy in the first burglary. Photo: Kent Police

Darcy was jailed for 15 years and nine months, while Wood, 27, received two years and seven months.

DC Mike Kingwell said: "The determination to steal, and level of violence shown, by Mark Darcy is extraordinarily worrying and demonstrates just how dangerous he is.

"He showed no remorse as he returned to the scene of the burglary days later, and to be able to threaten and assault a man in his 70s is abhorrent and it is no surprise the judge took such a dim view of the incident.

"I am glad he is in prison as he, and his co-defendant Wood, simply do not deserve anything else."

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